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Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Social protection programmes key to poverty reduction — Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani
JUNE 8 — Malaysia has stepped up efforts to reduce poverty in recent years through targeted social protection programmes, particularly those aimed at the B40 income category. However, the effectiveness and breadth of these programmes are called into question since growing living expenses continue to strain all income levels, including M40. The B40 in Malaysia's social protection environment Targeted assistance for the Bottom 40 per cent (B40) income group is the central tenet of Malaysia's approach to reducing poverty. Programmes like Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH), Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR), and the more recent measures unveiled in Budget 2025 aim to help low-income households cope with the rising cost of living. These initiatives provide needy families short-term financial relief through subsidies, housing assistance, and cash help. Malaysia has stepped up efforts to reduce poverty in recent years through targeted social protection programmes, particularly those aimed at the B40 income category. However, the effectiveness and breadth of these programmes are called into question since growing living expenses continue to strain all income levels, including M40. — Bernama pic The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) statistics, however, show that although these programmes provide short-term respite, they cannot significantly improve families' long-term economic standing. A recent report from the DOSM states that the average income of B40 has increased by only 1.5 per cent per year, which is not enough to keep up with inflation. Many people still have limited purchasing power as a result, particularly given the sharp increase in the price of food and housing. As such, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has underlined the government's will to address these problems, promising to lower costs and increase accessibility to necessities to ease financial burdens. Critics contend that monetary distributions could not alleviate underlying economic inequities despite these guarantees. 'Malaysia's B40 will continue to face an uphill struggle against poverty without structural reforms in education, employment, and wage policies,' one economist noted. Global social protection models: Achievements and insights for Malaysia Various social protection regimes worldwide have successfully reduced poverty, particularly when multifaceted and sustainable approaches are used. One programme generally commended for decreasing severe poverty is Brazil's Bolsa Família, which goes beyond cash transfers by requiring families to comply with health and education standards. This strategy has broken the cycle of intergenerational poverty, which has had a profoundly positive effect. Another practical example is the Basic Livelihood Security Programme (BLSP) in South Korea, which combines financial help with housing assistance, skill development, and job support. By linking financial aid to social services and job training, the BLSP has decreased poverty rates and enhanced recipients' capacity to find steady work, encouraging long-term independence. South Korea's strategy emphasises the necessity of a comprehensive social safety net that fosters employment and skill development. Similarly, the European Union's 'Active Inclusion' approach supports beneficiaries by combining labour market reforms with social protection, offering financial assistance and work placements. Malaysian approach gaps: Going beyond financial aid Though Malaysia's B40 initiatives offer much-needed financial assistance, they don't have the same cohesive structure as nations like Brazil and South Korea. Due to the lack of a multifaceted strategy, B40 beneficiaries' ability to achieve economic independence is restricted. According to a local economist, 'Despite its usefulness, monetary aid frequently results in dependency if employment-based and educational initiatives do not accompany it.' In addition to providing help, we must empower beneficiaries. The main drawback is that Malaysia's social security system primarily uses short-term financial assistance to combat poverty rather than focusing on long-term empowerment initiatives. On the other hand, effective schemes, such as the BLSP in South Korea, strongly emphasise developing human capital, providing work opportunities and skill training to recipients as part of their social benefits. Another gap is the availability of affordable housing. Although Malaysian authorities have started projects to provide inexpensive housing, they are frequently focused in metropolitan areas where demand outpaces supply, underserving rural and peri-urban locations. Future directions for Malaysia: Establishing a comprehensive social safety system Motivated by South Korea's BLSP and Brazil's Bolsa Família, Malaysia might benefit from implementing a more all-encompassing strategy that incorporates job assistance and skill development to improve the efficacy of social security. Working with social services and career development programmes might pave the way for the B40 to become resilient and financially independent. Furthermore, prioritising accessible education and universal healthcare will guarantee that fundamental necessities are satisfied, lessening the financial burden on low-income households. These steps would align with international best practices, calling governments to establish safety nets that do more than alleviate acute misery. Finally, increasing social protection in underprivileged regions might improve living conditions for low-income people in rural and urban areas, addressing regional disparity concerns. When Malaysia prepares for Budget 2025, adding these components might turn the B40 support system into a cornerstone for long-term, sustainable poverty alleviation. In conclusion: Using holistic reform to close the gap A move towards a more integrated strategy might enhance results for the B40 and beyond as Malaysia's social protection programmes continue to develop. As demonstrated by international examples, providing routes to education, work, and self-sufficiency is necessary to reduce poverty effectively. If these all-inclusive models are emulated, all Malaysians might gain from the country's progress, which could help Malaysia close the gap in economic inequality. * The author is the Director of the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. She may be reached at [email protected]. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Asean must put poverty fight at core of regional agenda, says PM Anwar
PUTRAJAYA, May 25 — Asean must prioritise poverty eradication and the protection of vulnerable communities as central pillars of its development agenda, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In an interview with Asean media ahead of the 46th Asean Summit, Anwar stressed that economic growth must lead to tangible improvements in people's welfare, social protection and human dignity for the region's people. 'The issue of poverty is very close to my heart. Here (in Malaysia), I made it clear that for hardcore poor, we must aim for zero poverty. Although it (poverty) may resurface next year, I said the country has no reason to allow that to happen. We will have to resolve that, and we've been relatively successful in that. 'Otherwise, all this talk about economic development does not translate to the lives and the welfare of the people. Of course, every country has to do it within their limits and capabilities, but what is important is a firm commitment,' he said. He also challenged Asean to act on the pledges it has repeatedly made in joint declarations, where poverty, inequality, and development gaps are frequently mentioned. He noted that the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2025 already outlines poverty eradication and inclusive growth as core goals and called on Asean leaders to maintain momentum on these fronts. The Prime Minister also underscored the need to address systematic inequalities and prevent vulnerabilities such as scams and human trafficking, which disproportionately affect the region's poor. 'Cybersecurity and scams are major issues that should be addressed. We have now effective cooperation from Laos, Cambodia in tackling these issues, both at the bilateral level and through Asean mechanisms,' he said. Looking ahead to Asean 2040 and beyond, Anwar emphasised that the region's success will rest on good governance, deeper integration and collective action. He said Asean's centrality and non-aligned posture allow it to trade and cooperate with a wide range of partners, including BRICS nations, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China. 'If we only think of national interests, of course, there are limits, but as Asean has more than 640 million people and a USD3 trillion economy, the potential is enormous. 'The final judgement will be the welfare of our people, quality education, public health, infrastructure, and lifting the poor. These are human dignity issues, and that is the real test of our success,' he added. Anwar also expressed optimism for the current summit, noting that consensus had been built around key issues including the Asean power grid, digital connectivity and intra-regional trade. At the same time, he commended the spirit of cooperation among Asean leaders and praised the professionalism shown in the summit preparation. 'I'm really pleased with the level of engagement, even bureaucratic or protocol issues are handled with ease. The inclusion of GCC and China in these meetings adds even more weight,' he said. While acknowledging logistical challenges such as road closures, Anwar said such measures were necessary to ensure security and honour the presence of important guests. The 46th Asean Summit is being held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability. This year also marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing Asean, following previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. — Bernama
